Parachutist Badge

Parachutist Badge
Nairolf FR · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Parachutist Badge
Awarded by	United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps

Parachutist Badge. The Parachutist Badge is a prestigious award presented to United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps personnel who have completed the rigorous training required to become a parachutist. This badge is a symbol of excellence and bravery, and it is highly respected within the United States Armed Forces. The Parachutist Badge is often worn with pride by recipients, including notable figures such as General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Omar Bradley, and General Matthew Ridgway, who have all been awarded the badge for their service in World War II and the Korean War.

● History of

the Parachutist Badge The Parachutist Badge has a rich history, dating back to the early days of World War II, when the United States Army first established the Parachute Infantry Battalion. The badge was designed by Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the son of Theodore Roosevelt, and it was first awarded to General William C. Lee, a pioneer in the development of United States Army Airborne forces. The Parachutist Badge has undergone several design changes over the years, with the current design featuring a pair of Wings (insignia) surrounded by a wreath. Notable recipients of the badge include Audie Murphy, Alvin York, and George S. Patton, who all served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War. The badge has also been awarded to personnel who have served in Vietnam War, Gulf War, and War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), including General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., General Colin Powell, and General David Petraeus.

● Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the Parachutist Badge, personnel must complete a rigorous training program, which includes Basic Airborne Course and Jumpmaster Course. The training program is designed to test the physical and mental toughness of personnel, and it includes a series of challenging exercises, such as Parachute landing, Navigation, and First aid. Personnel must also meet certain physical and medical standards, as outlined by the United States Army Medical Department and the United States Air Force Medical Service. Notable training facilities include Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, and Fort Campbell, which are all home to United States Army Airborne and United States Army Special Forces units. The training program is overseen by experienced instructors, including Sergeant Major of the Army, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

● Types of Parachutist Badges

There are several types of Parachutist Badges, including the Basic Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge. Each badge has its own set of requirements and eligibility criteria, and they are awarded to personnel who have completed different levels of training and have accumulated a certain number of Parachute jumps. The badges are also awarded to personnel who have served in different branches of the United States Armed Forces, including the United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps. Notable recipients of the different badges include General Curtis LeMay, General Carl Spaatz, and General Jimmy Doolittle, who all served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War.

● Award Process and Criteria

The Parachutist Badge is awarded to personnel who have completed the required training and have met the eligibility criteria. The award process is overseen by the United States Army Human Resources Command, United States Air Force Personnel Center, and United States Navy Personnel Command. The criteria for awarding the badge include the completion of a certain number of Parachute jumps, as well as the demonstration of proficiency in Parachute landing, Navigation, and First aid. The badge is also awarded to personnel who have served in Combat zones, including World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). Notable recipients of the badge include General Douglas MacArthur, General George Marshall, and General Henry Arnold, who all served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War.

● Notable Recipients

The Parachutist Badge has been awarded to many notable recipients, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Omar Bradley, and General Matthew Ridgway. Other notable recipients include Audie Murphy, Alvin York, and George S. Patton, who all served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War. The badge has also been awarded to personnel who have served in Vietnam War, Gulf War, and War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), including General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., General Colin Powell, and General David Petraeus. Notable units that have been awarded the badge include the 101st Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, which are all part of the United States Army Special Operations Command.

● International Parachutist Badges

The Parachutist Badge is not unique to the United States Armed Forces, and many other countries have their own versions of the badge. Notable examples include the British Army's Parachutist Badge (United Kingdom), the Canadian Army's Parachutist Badge (Canada), and the Australian Army's Parachutist Badge (Australia). These badges are awarded to personnel who have completed the required training and have met the eligibility criteria, and they are highly respected within their respective countries' armed forces. The badges are also recognized by international organizations, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United Nations, and they are often worn by personnel who have served in Peacekeeping and Humanitarian missions. Notable international recipients of the badge include Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, and Konrad Adenauer, who all served with distinction in World War II and the Cold War.

Category: Military awards and decorations